The occupancy rate of the intensive care units (ICUs) of hospitals in Metro Manila has reached a critical level, a group conducting studies on COVID-19 data in the country said Thursday.
According to the OCTA Research Group, ICUs for COVID-19 patients are 70 percent full as the number of cases in the capital region continues to rise.
Based on the group’s record on Wednesday, hospital bed occupancy of patients with COVID-19 increased by 61 percent.
According to the group, the reproduction number of the virus in Metro Manila has dropped but it is too early to say that this is the beginning of the expected drop in cases due to the “NCR Plus Bubble” or stricter general community quarantine in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 4 neighboring provinces.
The group had earlier said that 2 weeks of “NCR Plus Bubble” may not be enough to prevent the surge of COVID-19 cases.
Barangay Fort Bonifacio in Taguig has the highest number of cases of the new COVID-19, with 342 patients, based on the OCTA study.
The capacity of Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Tala, Caloocan, which is one of the COVID-19 referral hospitals, is also “critical.”
Occupancy of ICUs in Metro Manila at critical level: OCTA
In an interview with TeleRadyo, the medical center chief Dr. Fritz Famaran with 350 COVID-19 patients is now admitted to their facility.
They also said that they are short of health workers so the Department of Health (DOH) will send 150 additional personnel.
“Mayroon na pong order to hire, ‘yong contract service… Marami na pong ipapasok sa ospital namin,” said Famaran.
The Philippine General Hospital in Manila and the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City have also asked for help due to the shortage of health workers.
According to Dr. Jonas del Rosario, PGH spokesperson, it would be a big help if they could add 30 to 40 doctors and nurses.
He said the health workers of PGH are tired, especially since the number of patients is increasing, which now reaches almost 200.
The hospital’s emergency room has also become COVID-19 wards and ICU due to the number of patients waiting.